See inside this London restaurant which has interactive tables allowing diners to doodle and play games

Abby WallaceApr 23, 2022, 17:37 IST

The tables are interactive at Inamo, London.Abby Wallace/Insider.

A London restaurant chain offers interactive tables where diners can play games or doodle.
The restaurant serves a host of Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and Korean dishes.

London boasts a chain of interactive restaurants serving Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and Korean food, where diners can play games, doodle, and set up a virtual tablecloth on the dining tables while waiting for their food.

The tables are interactive at Inamo restaurant in Covent Garden, London.Abby Wallace/Insider.

London boasts a chain of interactive restaurants serving Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and Korean food, where diners can play games, doodle, and set up a virtual tablecloth on the dining tables while waiting for their food.

The chain, Inamo, has three London restaurants. I visited its outlet in Covent Garden, a busy shopping, entertainment, and marketplace district in the city.

The restaurant is in Covent Garden, London.Abby Wallace, Insider.

I knew the restaurant was popular so I booked a table in advance. I visited for an early dinner around 5:30pm. It was fairly busy, even on a Tuesday evening.

Inside Inamo restaurant in Covent Garden, London.Abby Wallace/Insider.

The restaurant is dark and subtly lit with colourful neon.

Inside Inamo restaurant in Covent Garden, London.Abby Wallace/Insider.

The table had tiny controllers which are used to select some of the entertainment options…

The interactive table at Inamo, London.Abby Wallace/Insider.

...including games, a drawing board and a virtual tablecloth. The small controller works much like a computer mouse, with the games and images appearing after pointing and clicking.

The interactive table at Inamo restaurant, London.Abby Wallace/Insider.

...including games, a drawing board and a virtual tablecloth. The small controller works much like a computer mouse, with the games and images appearing after pointing and clicking.

According to the company's website, the tables feature "retro games." The options include titles such as Ping and Puzzle Race.

The interactive table at Inamo, London.Abby Wallace/Insider.

There is also an option to tune into a chef cam, according to the company website, but I didn't notice that feature when I visited.

Inamo restaurant in Covent Garden, London.Abby Wallace/Insider.

The games were a fun novelty, but the controllers didn't work very well and it felt like the system had not been updated for a while. Several people in the restaurant were also still using their phones, which made me consider whether many people actually use the interactive tables as a fun distraction while they wait for their food.

The table had interactive games.Abby Wallace/Insider.

The games were a fun novelty, but the controllers didn't work very well and it felt like the system had not been updated for a while. Several people in the restaurant were also still using their phones, which made me consider whether many people actually use the interactive tables as a fun distraction while they wait for their food.

I ordered using the table's iPad and the entire process was seamless – the food arrived within 15 minutes.

IPads are used for ordering at the restaurant.Abby Wallace/Insider.

The food was great but slightly pricey for dishes that were small. A side of rice cost around £4.75 ($6.20) while a portion of cauliflower cost £13.45 ($17.55).

Inamo restaurant in Covent Garden, London.Abby Wallace/Insider.

The food was great but slightly pricey for dishes that were small. A side of rice cost around £4.75 ($6.20) while a portion of cauliflower cost £13.45 ($17.55).

The cost of eating out in London has risen in recent years due to increases in the cost of raw materials, wages, and fuel. According to restaurant guide Harden's 2022 review of London restaurants, the cost of eating out in the city outpaced inflation over the previous two years, with prices rising at an annualized rate of 4% over the period.

People eat out in London in April 2022.Stephen Chung/Xinhua via Getty Images.

The cost of eating out in London has risen in recent years due to increases in the cost of raw materials, wages, and fuel. According to restaurant guide Harden's 2022 review of London restaurants, the cost of eating out in the city outpaced inflation over the previous two years, with prices rising at an annualized rate of 4% over the period.

My meal was around $55. The order included three small plates, rice, and a soft drink. With no alcohol to bump up the price, I expected it to be slightly cheaper.

The check is ordered via an IPad at the restaurant.Abby Wallace/Insider.

The experience was fun but the interactive tables felt like the focus of this restaurant rather than the food. I wouldn't rush back just for those.

The restaurant is in Covent Garden, London.Abby Wallace/Insider.

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See inside this London restaurant which has interactive tables allowing diners to doodle and play games

London boasts a chain of interactive restaurants serving Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and Korean food, where diners can play games, doodle, and set up a virtual tablecloth on the dining tables while waiting for their food.

The chain, Inamo, has three London restaurants. I visited its outlet in Covent Garden, a busy shopping, entertainment, and marketplace district in the city.

I knew the restaurant was popular so I booked a table in advance. I visited for an early dinner around 5:30pm. It was fairly busy, even on a Tuesday evening.

The restaurant is dark and subtly lit with colourful neon.

The table had tiny controllers which are used to select some of the entertainment options…

...including games, a drawing board and a virtual tablecloth. The small controller works much like a computer mouse, with the games and images appearing after pointing and clicking.

According to the company's website, the tables feature "retro games." The options include titles such as Ping and Puzzle Race.

There is also an option to tune into a chef cam, according to the company website, but I didn't notice that feature when I visited.

I ordered using the table's iPad and the entire process was seamless – the food arrived within 15 minutes.

The food was great but slightly pricey for dishes that were small. A side of rice cost around £4.75 ($6.20) while a portion of cauliflower cost £13.45 ($17.55).

My meal was around $55. The order included three small plates, rice, and a soft drink. With no alcohol to bump up the price, I expected it to be slightly cheaper.

The experience was fun but the interactive tables felt like the focus of this restaurant rather than the food. I wouldn't rush back just for those.